Mask with Dump Valve - Any Good?

[b17flyboy]

I just picked up a <very cheap> backup mask and after I got it home I realised it has some kind of a dump valve under the nose. I assume this is designed to aid mask clearing but I am sure I have read in one of the diving mags these are not very successful.

Like a chump, I didn't spot this at the time I bought it!

Anyone got any experience with these and could give me some idea of how effective these are? I haven't tried it out at all yet as you can tell from my question!

Thanks.

[Ben Panter]

The major difference is that to clear your mask effectively you need to look down rather than up. Never had one myself but have had to teach someone who had one.

cheers,

Ben

[Bryan Harrison]

One of the guy in the Club bought one from LIDL last year and he said he was going to just fill the purge valve with clear silicone and use it/clear it normally.

[Richard Whitcombe]

Seen some abroad. Got a habit of jamming with sand or grit and then leaking.

[Chris aka divingchef]

I had one, useless !!
Ended up sticking a bit of neoprene over the hole then it was ok for years.

Chris

[Tony Dwyer]

I've tried one, just so I could properly expalin to students how they are cleared.

F******* useless.

They are an attempt to over engineer a very simple device.

Remember KISS. :)

[b17flyboy]

I have to get around to siliconing in my new toilet in at some point. Now I know what I will probably doing with the leftover silicone once I've finished!!!

The purge valve sounds good on paper, but that was my worry - that it would get damaged with sand or debris at some point and stop working/start leaking!

Oh well... you live and learn! :D

[Ben Panter]

Rather than messing around with silicon, why don't you just give it a go and see how it goes? Take it in the pool and see what you think rather than dismissing it out of hand before you've even used it - you might be pleasantly suprised.

Ben

[b17flyboy]

Who's dismissing it out of hand? Its gonna get wet in the pool on Thursday night then I'll make up my own mind! Just wanted to know what I was letting myself in for! ;)

[Valley Boy]

Two of our club members swear by them !-----;)

[b17flyboy]

Well, I tried it out last night in the pool and actually I really liked it. Mask clearing was really simple and the only problem I had was it steaming up. Will try the tooth-paste trick on it before its next outing.

I also found it more comfortable than my other mask so will be using this one as first choice from now on!